Kids Picks
Welcome back! School is starting to wind down and the weather is getting warmer. Soon you will be sitting on the beach, enjoying the sun, hopefully with a great book in your hands. There were many wonderful new releases that came out over the winter with a lot of interesting characters. From creatures that haven’t been identified yet to ducks that don’t like water, a dog looking for a home and an owl who wants to be a knight, these stories will have you wanting to read them over and over again!
Ages 3-5
“The Creature of Habit” by Jennifer E. Smith
A big creature who lives on the island of Habit is used to doing the exact same things in the exact same order every day. He eats the same breakfast, collects shells, says hello to the same friends and eats the same dinner every night before bed. The creature likes it this way and he is happy. One day, a small boat carrying a small creature arrives on the island. The big creature is excited to meet the small creature and show him everything, but the small creature has his own plans. He doesn’t like to eat anything the big creature does, he doesn’t say hello to everyone but instead would rather play with them, and he doesn’t like collecting shells but collects everything else! How will these two creatures find a way to live together?
“The Duck Who Didn’t Like Water” by Steve Small
Sometimes we make connections in the most unlikely places. Duck is not your average duck. He doesn’t like swimming, boating or even water, and he enjoys being alone. One stormy night, an outgoing, water-loving frog who is lost shows up at Duck’s door. Duck gives him shelter for the night. The next day, they set out to find Frog’s home, with no success. Pelican knows where Frog lives and offers to take him home. After a few days pass, Duck realizes something is missing. Maybe being alone isn’t so great after all. Duck heads out despite the rain to find Frog, and the two have a joyful reunion.
Ages 6-8
“Can I Be Your Dog?” by Troy Cummings
Arfy is a mutt who doesn’t have a home. He lives in a box in the alley. Arfy writes to every person he can find to let them know how great he is and what a wonderful pet he would make. He’s housebroken, already has his own toys, and will even live with a cat if he has to. Sadly, no one wants him. Who will be the one to step up and adopt this lovable, intelligent dog? This dog adoption story told through letters from Arfy will pull at your heartstrings.
“Knight Owl” by Christopher Denise
Owl has been wanting to become a knight since the day he was born. Lately, several of the knights protecting the castle have gone missing. Owl knows he isn’t the biggest, or the strongest, but his sharp nocturnal instincts will help him protect the castle. When he is working the night watch, Owl is faced with a frightening intruder. Owl might not have the size to fight, but he does have the brains! Sometimes using your head is all you need to win a fight.
Ages 9-12
“The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl” by Stacy McAnulty
Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning and even though she doesn’t remember it happening, it changed her life. Now she has genius-level math skills and at just 12 years old is ready for college. Lucy has been homeschooled her whole life and her grandmother insists that she go to middle school for one year, make one friend, join one activity, and read one book that isn’t about math. Lucy isn’t sure about any of this. After all, she has everything she needs at home, no one there makes fun of her, and what could a genius possibly learn in seventh grade?
“Posted” by John David Anderson
When you are in middle school, words are never just words. They can be wonderful and healing, but they can also be used as weapons and come back to haunt you. Sometimes they can change everything. At Branton Middle School, cellphones are banned. Frost and his friends Deedee, Wolf and Bench have to come up with a new way to communicate with each other. They leave sticky notes for each other around school and soon everyone is doing it. But for every nice note, there is a mean one as well. When a new girl arrives at school and sits at Frost’s lunch table, the dynamic shifts and the sticky-note war escalates. Will anything ever be the same at Branton Middle School?
